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MattChapman

New Study Looks at Diesel vs Electric for Fleet Vehicles

A new study out of the Georgia Institute of Technology pits diesel versus electric vehicles against each other to find out which is the better option for fleet vehicle owners in suburban and urban areas. Researchers found that, like many complicated things of this nature, it really all depends on where you're driving and what you're doing.

For example, it was determined that "electric urban delivery trucks use about 30 percent less total energy and emit about 40 percent less greenhouse gases than diesel trucks, for about the same total cost." In other words, electric trucks appear to come out on top right? Yes, in an urban setting, especially with a lot of stop-and-go traffic and driving, electric seems to be the way to go. It was found that they are 50 percent more efficient and therefore 20 percent cheaper to run.

However, when you bring those same trucks to a suburban setting, that's when things turn the way of the diesel truck. You see, Georgia Tech points to the fact that electric vehicles rely on stop-and-go driving to allow for the regenerative power feature during braking. That all but disappears when the routes are longer and the speed limits are increased. And that is where diesel becomes the more efficient mode of transportation.

In other words: When it comes to cost, it all depends. The same goes for emissions, which can rise or fall based on how the electricity is created in your state. If you're charging your electric vehicle in a state where coal is used, the overall emissions rate is higher. Even so, the study states that electric trucks were able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least a third when compared to their diesel counterparts.

Equally up in the air is how electric vehicle technology will improve in the future. Is it worth it to invest in a fleet of these trucks if they're going to be obsolete or a cheaper option is available? According to one professor in the study, "Battery price reductions down the road could have a large effect on the cost-competitiveness of electric trucks, while only diesel fuel prices could have a similarly large effect on the future cost-competitiveness of diesel trucks."

What this all teaches us is that it's very important to keep up with both latest trends for electric trucks—should that be something you wish to pursue—while gauging the range of your business. It's undeniable that electric is the way to go in the city, so it could be worth mix and matching should you expand your business.

About the Author:

Kevin Gannon is a recent college graduate and aspiring journalist who enjoys keeping up with trends in business and technology.

About the Author

Matt Chapman

Account Executive

Matt is an Account Executive at Fleetio, and has been with Fleetio for over five years. In 2005, he led Auburn University's solar car team in a 2500 mile race across North America.

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Your information will help us deliver, develop and promote Fleetio products. This may include sending you relevant materials related to your information request. While we may use your information to help target Fleetio's digital advertising, we will never sell your information to any third parties. Submitting this form indicates you agree to our Privacy Policy. You can withdraw your consent at any time.